Providence Local News

Chairman says licenses board won't be 'coerced'

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The head of the Providence Board of Licenses says it won't be "coerced" after the city council majority leader moved to eliminate board members' pay over a decision he disagreed with.

The Providence Journal reports that Chairman Andrew Annaldo said Thursday the board "will not be coerced by any government official monetarily or otherwise."

Annaldo's comments were in response to a proposal from Majority Leader Seth Yurdin to eliminate board members' compensation after the panel imposed a $5,000 fine and a 45-day license suspension on Cheaters Gentlemen's Club, which allegedly hired a 14-year-old and allowed prostitution.

Yurdin called the decision a "severe dereliction of duty" and supported a permanent revocation of the club's licenses.